"No. As for that, he is steady, and not unamiable."
"But what do you complain of?"
Vauquelin waved his hand vaguely. "The proposal does not accord with my ideas. I have different intentions for her."
"Ah, yes, that monsieur Daudenarde! I thought perhaps that affair had faded out."
"By no means," affirmed Vauquelin, clutching at the excuse. "Precisely. I wish her to marry monsieur Daudenarde. And that is a sound and laudable reason why I should resent being badgered by Brigard. I find such intrusions on my routine very offensive. Daudenarde's mother and I are going to have a little talk together some time or other."
"But——"
"What?"
"You decided to have a little talk with her nine or ten months ago."
"I must avoid precipitance. In such matters a father cannot act with too much caution."
"Blanche is a darling. But there are other girls in Paris. If you desire the match, be careful you don't let him slip."